ReFood announces charity campaign to reduce Christmas waste

In the run up to one of the busiest times of the year for food producers, retailers and charities, UK food waste recycler, ReFood has announced the launch of a campaign to help reduce business food waste and donate money to homeless charities.

Author : Sarah OBeirne

During a similar campaign last year, ReFood which has a number of Anaerobic Digestion plants throughout the UK which turn waste food into renewable energy and bio-fertiliser, contributed £4,000 to charities, and diverted an additional 192 tonnes of waste food away from landfill.

This year’s project will see donations made to homeless charities for every new bin collection signed up during November, December and January. The charities involved in the initiative all work with homeless, vulnerable people, an issue that comes into particular focus around Christmas. Leeds-based St George’s Crypt; Manchester charity Barnabus; independent, Liverpool-based charity The Whitechapel Centre; SHP in Dagenham; and Sheffield’s Sunday Centre, will all receive financial support from the campaign.

Philip Simpson, commercial director at ReFood, said:

“This campaign highlights two important issues over the festive period: homelessness and wastefulness. We were delighted that last year’s campaign could support the vital work these charities do, whilst promoting an important message about diverting waste food from landfill. With the 2016 festive period just around the corner, we’re confident that this year’s campaign will be a similar success. We’d encourage all businesses involved in the food supply chain to think about their waste strategy, and recycle any waste food, and this campaign serves to highlight that.”

ReFood provided waste collection services to a total of 2,566 new businesses over the winter period last year. For each new bin collection signed up this year, the business will be making a 50p donation. ReFood are also encouraging existing customers to contribute to the cause.